Case Study Library

The Fowler Center collects sustainability business cases, which may be used by management faculty as additional teaching resources. This collection is added to and refined regularly. The Fowler Center can provide assistance to individuals or organizations who wish to use the cases or who need teaching notes.

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Selection Process and Filters

Cases are identified by a systematic assessment of existing teaching cases relating to sustainability and through a set of agreed upon criteria to filter cases even further. The initial Case Study Library was built by searching online databases for all cases that pertained to the topic of sustainability. Four additional criteria were required.

The case is designed to be a teaching case. To make this distinction we look for content that is more than just informative but also able to spark discussion and debate.

The case focuses on a topic that was truly a driver of business value rather than just environmental compliance, an ethical decision, or Corporate Social Responsibility.

The issue in question was a matter of “embedded” or “bolt-on sustainability”. Cases featuring companies incorporating sustainability into their core business functions and philosophies are given priority.

The issue at hand is one of heretical or disruptive innovation or describes incremental change.

After applying these filters to the original group of 133 teaching cases, just 48 cases made the cut. These 48 cases represent a choice of sustainability resources that, in a broad sense, meet the Fowler Center’s definition of sustainable value.

Contact the Fowler Center for assistance or suggest additional cases to be included on the list.

The Weatherhead School of Management is different from other business schools. We are bold in our ideas, creative in our approach, and adaptive in our interactions within a changing business environment. We've enhanced traditional management education by integrating the fundamentals of business with ideas and practices that change individuals, organizations and societies. At Weatherhead, we develop leaders as good global citizens who innovate to create sustainable value.Founded in
1939.
weatherhead@case.edu